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The aims of this study were to (i) estimate the intra- and inter-day reliability of mean concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) power at different inertial loads during a flywheel quarter-squat using a cluster set approach and (ii) to determine the acute effect of internal and external attentional focus on mean power when performing the flywheel quarter squat. Twelve collegiate field sport male athletes (age 22.4 ± 3.2 years, weight 81.4 ± 10.3 kg, height 1.81 ± 0.06 m) attended four cluster set testing sessions separated by 7 days. Sessions consisted of 4 sets of 15 repetitions using 4 inertial loads (0.025, 0.050, 0.075, and 0.100 kg·m2). A cluster block consisted of 5 repetitions, including “momentum repetitions” (4 × 5 + 5 + 5). Mean power (MP), CON power, ECC power, and ECC overload were recorded for both internal and external attentional focus groups. The external instructional group attained familiarization after two flywheel sessions (ES = 0.03–0.15) with little volatility between performance measures (CV% = 3.39–9.22). The internal instructional group showed large differences in MP output from session 2 to session 3 for all loads (ES = 0.59–1.25). In conclusion, the flywheel cluster set approach is a reliable training modality for maintaining MP output during all repetitions.

Byrne, PJ, Moody, JA, Cooper, SM, and Kinsella, S. Acute effects of "composite" training on neuromuscular and fast stretch-shortening cycle drop jump performance in hurling players. J Strength Cond Res 35(12): 3474-3481, 2021-"Composite" training is a term developed by the authors and defined as the combination of a plyometric exercise with an explosive activity such as a sprint run, performed as a "combined repetition"/session. The purposes of this study were to investigate the acute effect of a "composite" training session on neuromuscular and fast stretch-shortening cycle bounce drop jumps (BDJs) in hurling players' immediately, after session, and after 7 days of recovery. Eight hurling players first completed a drop jump test to identify individual BDJ drop height, followed 72 hours later with a single "composite" training session. Three repetition maximum (3RM) back squat strength, BDJ, countermovement jump (CMJ), and sprint performance testing were performed 10 minutes before and immediately after session and 7 days after session. An analysis of variance reported a significant decrease in CMJ measures (height, velocity, and eccentric rate of force development) and sprint performance from presession to postsession (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, a significant increase was evident for CMJ performance (height and power), sprint performance (5 and 20 m), 3RM back squat strength, and BDJ performance (reactive strength index and height) from postsession to post-7-day recovery (p ≤ 0.05). Pairwise comparisons indicated that absolute and relative 3RM strength significantly increased from presession to post-7 days (absolute 3RM: p = 0.0001; relative 3RM: p = 0.01). The findings indicate that "composite" training results in an immediate decline in CMJ measures after session possibly due to acute muscle fatigue, and supercompensation augments maximum lower-limb strength after 7 days of recovery.

Byrne, PJ, Moody, JA, Cooper, S-M, Farrell, E, and Kinsella, S. Short-term effects of "composite training" on strength, jump, and sprint performance in hurling players. J Strength Cond Res 36(8): 2253-2261, 2022-The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term effects of "composite" training to sprint training on strength, jump, and sprint acceleration performance in hurling players. A randomized counterbalanced group design with baseline test, pretest and post-test measures was used. Twenty-five hurling players volunteered to participate and 21 completed the study. Subjects were divided into a "composite" (COMP group, n = 10) or a sprint training (SPRINT group, n = 11) group. Both groups trained twice per week for 7 weeks with the SPRINT group performing 6 repetitions of 20 m sprints and the COMP group completing 6 repetitions (1 repetition = 3 bounce drop jumps [BDJs] with a 20 m sprint after 15 seconds recovery). Significant differences existed pretraining to post-training for the COMP group for BDJ contact time (-7.25%; p = 0.05) and countermovement jump (CMJ) variables (height: 7.43%, p = 0.006; force: 5.24%, p = 0.05; power: 15.11%, p = 0.001). No significant differences were found between groups at baseline and for group by time interactions. Significant improvements were observed pretraining to post-training in both groups for the following: absolute 3 repetition maximum (3RM) back squat strength (12.73-17.62%, p = 0.01), 5 m (5.74-9.49%, p = 0.006-0.04), 10 m (4.27-5.59%, p = 0.007-0.02), and 20 m (3.35-3.98%, p = 0.003-0.01). In conclusion, "composite" training is effective in enhancing fast stretch-shortening cycle efficiency inducing CMJ force and power augmentation. However, "composite" and sprint training are effective training approaches for enhancing maximal strength and sprint performance in a time efficient manner in hurling players.

Article published in Strength & Conditioning Journal available at https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000577

The purpose of this study was to examine if performing a lower body resistance training priming activity effects athletic performance completed 24 hours later. University level field hockey players (N = 10) completed 1 control (CON) and 2 experimental trials on separate days. A randomised, counter-balanced experimental design with cross-over was used across three conditions. The CON trial consisted of complete abstention from physical activity. For the ‘strength’ (STR) experimental trial participants performed a parallel back squat exercise for 5 sets of 2 repetitions with 90% 1RM; while for the ‘hypertrophy’ (HYP) experimental approach was 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 75% 1RM. Subjects attended a testing session 24 hours after each trial, consisting of CMJ, SJ, 22-cm DJ, 38-cm DJ and 40 m sprint. The 5 m sprint performance was significantly better (p < 0.05) for CON group when compared to the HYP group. No other significant differences were highlighted between trials. The results indicate that performing resistance training in-line with STR and HYP the day before competition does not improve athletes’ performance. The results also suggest how a lower body STR priming activity can be implemented the day before competition without negatively impact subsequent performance. For the strength and conditioning coach, this may be a useful window to train athletes during the ‘in-season’ schedule.

The purpose of this study was to compare the kinematics of assisted and unassisted plyometric training of vertical jumping and rebounding activities following a six-week training intervention. 13 youth males from a professional football academy completed six weeks of either unassisted (n = 6) or band-assisted (n = 7) plyometric training sessions twice a week during their competitive season. Pre- and post-assessments of counter-movement jump (CMJ) height, 50 cm drop-jump (DJ50) ground contact time (GCT), jump height and reactive strength index (RSI), and submaximal-hopping (SMH) GCT, jump height and RSI were compared. Pre- and post-assessment ankle angle at touch-down (TD), peak flexion (PF) and mid-flight (MF) were also analysed for the submaximal-hop test only. Following training, significant main effects of time were observed for CMJ height, DJ50 GCT and MF ankle angle (p < 0.05) and a significant effect of group was observed for DJ50 RSI (p < 0.05). These results suggest that both unassisted and assisted plyometric training may be useful for enhancing the kinematics and technical performance of plyometric activities in a youth male football population.

The present study aimed to suggest desirable attributes and characteristics for strength and conditioning coaches as perceived by the male and female population of collegiate athletes and statistically evaluate differences of perception between genders. Participants were 99 NCAA division I student-athletes (Male=56, Female=43) aged between 18-22 years of age, with a mean of 2.98 S&C sessions per week. Participants completed an electronic questionnaire to rank the importance of 17 research-based attributes through a 5-point Likert-type-scale. Descriptive statistics revealed that overall, “knowledgeable” and “communicative” were considered the most important attributes, whereas “overall size/muscularity” and “male gender” were the least desirable. With regards to perceived importance, attributes were ranked in the following order: knowledgeable, communicative, motivator, trustworthy, give positive feedback, approachable, organised, supportive, positive, honest, confident, role model, intense, physical fitness, sense of humour, overall size/muscularity, male gender. “Male gender” as an attribute was identified as the only significant difference in perception between genders (p = .017). The observed results are consistent with previous research that highlighted how several attributes and characteristics are important for strength and conditioning coaches. Thus, these results might foster reflection and guide personal and professional development of strength and conditioning coaches.

Byrne, PJ, Moody, JA, Cooper, SM, Callanan, D, and Kinsella, S. Potentiating response to drop-jump protocols on sprint acceleration: drop-jump volume and intrarepetition recovery duration. J Strength Cond Res 34(3): 717-727, 2020-The purpose of this study was to investigate the postactivation potentiation response first to bounce drop jump (BDJ) volume; second, BDJ intrarepetition recovery duration and recovery duration between BDJs and 20-meter (including 5- and 10-m split times) sprint performance. The study was undertaken in 2 parts, the first part compared different volumes of BDJs and the second part compared different BDJ intrarepetition recovery periods. The effect of recovery periods between the BDJs and the subsequent 20-m sprints was examined in both parts 1 and 2 (15 seconds, 4, 8, and 12 minutes). Fourteen (mean ± SD: age = 20.83 ± 1.26 years; height = 1.77 ± 0.04 m; and mass = 74.89 ± 6.07 kg) (part 1) and 15 (mean ± SD: age = 20.64 ± 1.00 years; height = 1.78 ± 0.06 m; and mass = 75.67 ± 6.28 kg) (part 2) male collegiate and club hurling players volunteered to participate. A randomized cross-over design was used to compare BDJ volumes (1, 2, and 3 sets of 3 repetitions) and BDJ intrarepetition recovery time (15 vs. 60 seconds) after a warm-up followed by 2 baseline 20-m sprints. The results in part 1 reported a significant improvement in 5- and 10-m sprint time for 1 set of 3 BDJs between baseline and 4 minutes (5 m: -2.34%, p = 0.04, effect size [ES] = -0.043; 10 m: -1.42%, p = 0.03, ES = -0.35), and baseline and 12 minutes (5 m: -3.33%, p = 0.03, ES = -0.57; 10 m: -2.13%, p = 0.01, ES = -0.52). Part 2 reported a significant improvement in 5-m sprint time between baseline and 15 seconds (5 m: -3.38%, p = 0.01, ES = -0.83; 10 m: -2.07%, p = 0.02, ES = -0.58) after the BDJs. The findings support the use of 1 set of 3 BDJs using a 15-second intrarepetition recovery period to maximize 5-, 10-, and 20-m sprint performance after 15 seconds of recovery after the final BDJ in hurling players. The acute response to this BDJ protocol proves to be time efficient and effective in acutely improving sprint acceleration.

This study investigated the effects of a strength-power complex on subsequent ballistic activity (BA) performance responses across a profile of jumps in adolescent talent-identified rugby players. Rate of force development (RFD) and BA performance responses was recorded in 22 participants over four intracomplex rest intervals (ICRI) (15s, 30s, 45s, 60s) following a complex of 3 repetitions of back squat @80% 1RM and 7 countermovement jumps (CMJs) in a randomised, counterbalanced design. Within subjects, repeated measures ANOVAs were conducted on peak rate of force development (PRFD), time to peak rate of force development (TPRFD), peak force (PF), and time to a peak force (TPF). Confidence limits were set at ±90% and effect size across the sample (partial ɳ²) was calculated across P1-P4 for all jump profiles. No significant effects were observed across jump profiles or ICRI. The research confirms RFD and BA performance responses were maintained across all jump profiles and each ICRI. In contrast to previous research, the use of minimal ICRI of 15s, 30s, 45s and 60s following strength-power complex training is a practical time-efficient means of maintaining RFD and BA performance responses across jump profiles of seven jumps, which has important implications in practical coaching environments.

The effect of head positioning is often not accounted for when optimising performance in the back squat exercise. The primary aim of the study was to identify the most advantageous head position for peak power (PP), peak velocity (PV) and peak force (PF) performance in the back squat exercise. A secondary aim was to identify the most favourable head position. Twenty male rugby union players performed 1x3 repetitions at 75% one repetition maximum (1RM) to determine their preferred pre-intervention head position, followed by 1x3 at 75% 1RM in a flexed (FP), extended (EP) and neutral (NP) neck position, performed in a counterbalanced and randomised order. PP, PV, PF and comfort level (CL) were measured during each repetition. FP resulted in significantly higher PP (3147.50 ± 464.70 W; p

The purposes of this study were to a) compare a 4-min to an 8-min rest interval between composite training (jump-sprint combination) repetitions in a single session to allow for the recovery of neuromuscular and bounce drop-jump (BDJ) performance and b) investigate if super compensation would occur after 168hrs of rest. Twelve players were randomly assigned to either a 4-min or an 8-min rest interval group. Participants first completed a BDJ test to identify individual BDJ drop heights followed by a 20m sprint test. Seventy-two hours later, a composite training session of two repetitions (three BDJs followed by a 20m sprint after a 15s rest) with either a 4-min or an 8-min rest interval was performed. A three repetition maximum (3RM) back squat strength test, a BDJ, countermovement jump (CMJ) and a sprint performance test were completed 10-mins pre- and immediately post-session, and 168 hrs post-session. CMJ force (8-min group) and BDJ (height and reactive strength index (RSI)) measures decreased significantly post-session (4-min and 8-min groups; P ≤ 0.05). Pre-session to 168 hrs post-session, relative 3RM back squat strength and 20m sprint performance increased significantly for the 4-min group only (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, a 4-min composite training inter-repetition rest interval leads to a significant decline in BDJ measures (RSI and jump height) which may act as fatigue markers for monitoring. However, 4-mins provides sufficient recovery during the session which, in conjunction with 168 hrs of recovery, causes super compensation in neuromuscular performance in hurling players.

Muscular performance is influenced by its contractile history, with fatigue being the most noticeable effect, reflected in the inability of the neuromuscular system to maintain or generate the expected force requirements of an activity. Postactivation potentiation (PAP) was initially examined by assessing muscle twitch force, with twitch potentiation being well established. Post-tetanic and PAP have been studied for more than a century, ranging from studies examining animal muscle preparations to human skeletal muscle in vitro and in vivo. Acute training methods and techniques aim to achieve positive short-term responses that over time accumulate and lead to long-term improvements in performance. PAP is a well-established phenomenon with a long research history. To capitalise on this phenomenon, research studies and practitioners have tried to improve performance both acutely and long-term by coupling strength with power-based exercises to enhance the latter.

Athlete monitoring enables sports science practitioners to collect information to determine how athletes respond to training loads (TL) and the demands of competition. To date, recommendations for females are often adapted from their male counterparts. There is currently limited information available on TL monitoring in female Gaelic team sports in Ireland. The collection and analysis of female athlete monitoring data can provide valuable information to support the development of female team sports. Athletic monitoring can also support practitioners to help minimize risk of excessive TL and optimize potential athletic performance. The aims of this narrative review are to provide: (i) an overview of TL athlete monitoring in female team sports, (ii) a discussion of the potential metrics and tools used to monitor external TL and internal TL, (iii) the advantages and disadvantages of TL modalities for use in Gaelic team sports, and (iv) practical considerations on how to monitor TL to aid in the determination of meaningful change with female Gaelic team sports athletes.

Article published (open access) in Journal of Physical Fitness, Medicine and Treatment in Sport on 21 June 2018 available at https://doi.org/10.19080/JPFMTS.2018.04.555642

Periodization represents an optimal modality for organizing training programs in athletes, recreational and rehabilitative practitioners. The selected procedure, however, should be based on the athlete’s age, level of performance, specific goals or competition characteristics. A common theme throughout all periodization paradigms is the requirement to manipulate the entire program variables (intensity, volume, frequency, recovery periods and exercise selection) in order to progress from general to a more sport-specific training, dissipate fatigue and reduce the risk of injury. Although further scientific evidences are required, the understanding of periodization methodology including the appropriate procedure for designing sessions, microcycles and mesocycles is of paramount importance.

Strength and Conditioning for Young Athletes offers an evidence-based introduction to the theory and practice of strength and conditioning for children and young athletes. Drawing upon leading up-to-date research in all aspects of fitness and movement skill development, the book adopts a holistic approach to training centred on the concept of long-term athletic development and the welfare of the young athlete.